Ahoy! Sea Shanty Festival sets sail for Bunbury for second year running

Following the success of an inaugural event last year, a South West Sea Shanty Festival is setting sail for Bunbury for a second consecutive year.

The Bunbury Sea Shanty Festival will return from July 4-6, promising an even bigger and more rousing celebration of maritime music and culture.

Thirty bands — including the Stranded Wailers from Tasmania, the Salty Sirens from Brisbane, the Albany Shanty Men and the Lost Quays from Fremantle — will hit stages at five venues in the heart of Bunbury, belting out powerful harmonies and sea shanties.

Festival director Colin Anker said last year “was a resounding success”.

“There was 99.99 per cent positivity which came back from the attendees and the artists,” he said.

This year, five venues have put up their hands to host the event, including the Koombana Bay Sailing Club, Froth Craft Bunbrewery, Bunbury Mission to Seafarers, Bunbury Geographe Seniors and Community Centre and Funkee Monkee.

“The beauty of sea shanty singing is it seems to bring people together from all walks of life,” Mr Anker said.

“It’s a joyous music and it’s accessible to anyone you know, whatever your background is.

“You don’t need to be a musical aficionado to join in. By the time the chorus has come around for the second time, you sort of know what’s going to happen.”

The festival will boast an array of fun family activities such as Mad Tatters Morris Dancing, face painting, a virtual reality pirate tavern, a sea shanty writing competition and a seafarer fancy dress competition.

Mr Anker said the artists coming to perform from around the State were doing it out of passion.

“Ninety-nine per cent of these groups are doing it just for fun, they’re not paid professionals, even though some are really good musicians,” he said.

“There’s just a need in communities to get together and just spend time together and do something that’s fun — that’s what sea shanty singing is.”

Mr Anker encouraged people to dress up “as your best wench or your best pirate or as a tugboat — whatever floats your boat”.

But he said, dressing up wasn’t a must for those less sure on the whole shebang.

“Just make sure you’re dressed. We’ll have a good time,” Mr Anker said.

City of Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel said it was great to have the festival returning for a second year.

“It’s a very enjoyable, fun-loving activity,” he said.

“It’s great to have this one here in Bunbury — last year we saw a big turnout from all over the State. Some singing and dancing and beer drinking is really good.”